Saratoga Springs approves area variance for Crawford's property subdivision

The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals convened on June 2, 2025, to discuss a proposed area variance for a two-lot subdivision at 16 Excelsior Springs Avenue. The meeting proceeded without the applicants present, but the board received a favorable advisory opinion from the planning board, allowing them to move forward with the discussion.

During the meeting, the board addressed the appeal of Jessica Crawford regarding the subdivision of her property. The application sought relief from the rear yard dimensional requirement, which mandates a 30-foot setback. The proposal requested a reduction to 12.6 feet, seeking a variance of 17.4 feet, or 58%.

The board evaluated the application based on several criteria, including the balance between the benefits to the applicant and any potential detriment to the community's health, safety, and welfare. They concluded that the applicant demonstrated that the subdivision could not be achieved through other feasible means, as there was no adjoining land available for purchase.

The board also found that granting the variance would not create an undesirable change in the neighborhood's character, noting that the proposal aligns with similar properties in the area. While the requested variances were deemed substantial, the board determined that the neighborhood's character mitigated this concern. They concluded that the variances would not have significant adverse physical or environmental effects and that the property would comply with standard district permeability requirements.

The board acknowledged that the difficulty faced by the applicant was self-created due to the desire to subdivide the property, but this was not considered a fatal flaw in the application. The motion to approve the area variance was made and seconded, with the board noting the favorable advisory opinion from the planning board as part of their decision-making process.